Gunn could play for England before City

ANGUS Gunn could play for England before he makes his City debut after words of encouragement from Gareth Southgate.

The Blues stopper, currently enjoying playing competitive football at Norwich on a season-long loan, has been drafted into the senior Three Lions squad from the Under-21 squad alongside Lewis Cook and Dominic Solanke.

None might have expected to feature in tonight’s friendly against Brazil. However, the England boss has made it clear any of them could play as he looks to give youth a chance and stamp his influence on the team he took charge of a year ago.

“It’s a very easy squad to settle in to,” said Southgate.

“The senior players are very open, very welcoming. Most of the squad are young anyway so know each other from younger age groups.

“Those [three new] guys have fitted in off the field no problem which helps them to fit in on the field - and they’re good players, so in training they look fine. We have to see how the game progresses but I won’t have any hesitation in putting them on.

“Angus has worked with the under-21s with us, he’s playing in the league. The other two – captain of the Under-20 World Cup winners [Cook] and Golden Boot winner in the Under-20s World Cup [Solanke]. They’ve got good pedigree, and we won’t hesitate to put them on the pitch.”